Automotive laminate with superior camera window

ABSTRACT

The use of camera based safety systems is growing at a rapid rate in modern automobiles. As the industry moves for full autonomous capability, the number of cameras required is increasing. At the same time, windshields, where many of the cameras are mounted are 5 becoming larger and more complex in shape. This presents problems in the area of camera optics. For one, the camera is looking out through at least two layers of bent glass bonded together by a third layer of plastic. Mismatches in the refractive index can result in a double image. The curvature of the glass turns the window into a lens and, in conjunction with the often low installation angle, can reduce the optical clarity of the camera field of view. The 0 laminate of the invention has a cutout in the area of the camera(s) on the interior glass layer where the cameras are mounted. The cameras are mounted directly to the glass via a bracket or adhesive or to a thin transparent insert. The glass can also be fitted with a lens system optically bonded to the glass for even better performance. The result is a laminated glazing with superior optical quality.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a laminated automotive glazing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of cameras based safety systems, requiring a wide field of viewand a high level of optical clarity, is growing at a rapid rate. As theindustry moves towards full autonomous capability, the number of camerasand resolution is increasing. At the same time, windshields, where manyof the cameras are mounted, are becoming larger and more complex inshape.

The main cameras require a high, forward looking field of view and somust typically be mounted on the windshield and in the wiper area. Earlyinitial applications were for night-vision. Today, camera based systemsare used to provide a wide array of safety functions including adaptivecruise control, obstacle detection, lane departure warning and supportfor autonomous operation. Many of these applications require the use ofmultiple cameras. A clear undistorted field of view, with minimal doubleimaging and excellent MTF (Modulation Transfer Function, a measure ofhow well a lens maps an image to a sensor), is especially critical forcamera based systems to perform as intended. It is essential for thesesystems to be able to quickly differentiate between objects, capturetext, identify signage, and operate with minimal lighting. Further, asthe resolution of the cameras used increases the need for a cleardistortion free field of view increases.

Laminated windshields are made by bonding two sheets of annealed glasstogether using a thin sheet of a transparent thermo plastic as shown inFIG. 9. Annealed glass is glass that has been slowly cooled from thebending temperature down through the glass transition range. Thisprocess relieves any stress left in the glass from the bending process.Annealed glass breaks into large shards with sharp edges. When laminatedglass breaks, the shards of broken glass are held together, much likethe pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, by the plastic layer helping to maintainthe structural integrity of the glass. A vehicle with a brokenwindshield can still be operated. On impact, the plastic layer alsohelps to prevent penetration by the occupant in the event of a crash andby objects striking the laminate from the exterior.

This laminated construction presents problems in the area of optics, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. For one, the cameras 16, disposed in amounting bracket 8, are looking out through at least two layers 2 ofbent glass, exterior glass layer 201 and interior glass layer 202,bonded together by a third layer of plastic 4. Secondary reflectionsfrom the multiple surfaces can result in double image. The curvature ofthe glass, in conjunction with the often low installation angle, canalso contribute to double image as well as further reducing the opticalclarity of the field of view.

It would be desirable overcome these limitations providing a laminatedglazing with superior optical quality and performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a laminated glazing with a cutout area in theinterior layer of glass for mounting one or more cameras. The camerasare mounted to an insert bonded to the exterior layer or directly to theglass. The area between the edge of the cutout and the cameras can befilled with an adhesive to improve strength. The insert or cameramounting system can be extended such as to overlap the edge of glass tofurther improve the strength of the laminate. The windshield can also beprovided with a lens to correct for any optical aberrations present. Thelens can be bonded to the insert or directly to the glass.

Advantages:

-   -   Superior optical quality    -   Corrects for curvature of glass    -   Eliminates double image    -   Compensates for installation angle.    -   Improved safety.    -   Fabricated using standard automotive glass processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description of the following embodiments inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a windshield with two cameras accordingto prior art.

FIG. 2A shows the front view of the windshield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows the cross section A-A of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows a typical laminated windshield cross section.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a windshield with two cameras accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows a double image with parallel surfaces.

FIG. 5B shows a double image with non-parallel surfaces.

FIG. 6A shows a front view of a windshield with two cameras according toa first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B shows the cross section B-B of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 7A shows an isometric view of a panoramic windshield with twocameras according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B shows the cross section C-C of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 8A shows a cross section of a panoramic windshield with two camerasaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B shows a cross section of a windshield with two cameras accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8C shows a cross section of a panoramic windshield with two camerasaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8D shows a cross section of a windshield with two cameras accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A shows a cross section of a windshield with two cameras accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B shows a cross section of a windshield with two cameras accordingto an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9C shows a cross section of a windshield with two cameras accordingto a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   2 Glass-   4 Plastic bonding layer-   6 Black obscuration-   8 Mounting bracket-   9 Insert-   12 Infrared reflecting film-   15 Lens-   16 Camera-   22 Cut out-   24 Filler-   26 Bracket adhesive-   28 Optical adhesive-   40 Double image Angle-   41 Observation point-   42 Incident ray from image-   43 Primary image-   44 Secondary image-   45 Wedge angle-   46 Incident angle-   50 Normal to surface-   52 Angle of deviation-   56 Inclination angle-   101 Surface one or number one surface-   102 Surface two or number two surface-   103 Surface three or number three surface-   104 Surface four or number four surface-   201 Exterior glass layer-   202 Interior glass layer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings and discussion, the following terminology is used todescribe the configuration of a laminated glazing. A typical automotivelaminate, as shown in FIG. 3, is comprised of two layers of glass, theexterior or outer 201 and interior or inner 202 that are permanentlybonded together by a plastic layer 4 (interlayer). The glass surfacethat is on the exterior of the vehicle is referred to as surface one 101or the number one surface. The opposite face of the exterior glass layer201 is surface two 102 or the number two surface. The glass surface thatis on the interior of the vehicle is referred to as surface four 104 orthe number four surface. The opposite face of the interior layer ofglass 202 is surface three 103 or the number three surface. Surfaces two102 and three 103 are bonded together by the plastic layer 4.

The plastic bonding layer 4 has the primary function of bonding themajor faces of adjacent layers to each other. The material selected istypically a clear plastic when bonding to another glass layer. Forautomotive use, the most commonly used plastic layer 4 or interlayer ispolyvinyl butyl (PVB). In addition to polyvinyl butyl, ionoplastpolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), cast in place (CIP) liquid resinand thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can also be used. Interlayers areavailable with enhanced capabilities beyond bonding the glass layerstogether. The invention may include interlayers designed to dampensound. Such interlayers are comprised whole or in part of a layer ofplastic that is softer and more flexible than that normally used.

The types of glass that may be used in the present invention include butare not limited to: the common soda-lime variety typical of automotiveglazing as well as aluminosilicate, lithium aluminosilicate,borosilicate, glass ceramics, and the various other inorganic solidamorphous compositions which undergo a glass transition and areclassified as glass included those that are not transparent. The glasslayers may be comprised of heat absorbing glass compositions as well asinfrared reflecting and other types of coatings.

Infrared reflecting coatings include but are not limited to the variousmetal/dielectric layered coatings applied though magnetron sputteredvacuum deposition (MSVD) as well as others known in the art that areapplied via pyrolytic, spray, CVD, dip and other methods.

Infrared reflecting films 12 (FIGS. 4B, 5B, 7A-7C) include both metalliccoated substrates as well as organic based optical films which reflectin the infrared.

The glass layers may be annealed or strengthened. There are twoprocesses that can be used to increase the strength of glass. They arethermal strengthening, in which the hot glass is rapidly cooled(quenched) and chemical tempering which achieves the same effect throughan ion exchange chemical treatment. In the chemical tempering process,ions in and near the outside surface of the glass are exchanged withions that are larger. This places the outer layer of glass incompression. Compressive strengths of up to 1000 Mpa are possible.

The use of thin glass layers has been found to improve resistance tobreakage from impact such as from stone chips. The thinner glass is moreflexible and absorbs the energy of the impact by deflecting and thenbouncing back rather than breaking as is the case with a thicker stifferlayer of glass. Also, embodiments comprising a borosilicate exteriorlayer are substantially more resistant to impact than soda lime glassdue to the nature of the composition. Embodiments comprising achemically tempered layer will also exhibit superior resistance toimpact as compared to ordinary soda-lime glass due to the high surfacecompression of such glasses.

The invention, as shown in FIG. 4, is comprised of a laminate having twoglass layers 2, exterior 201 and interior 202, with each having opposingmajor faces bonded together permanently by at least one plastic bondinglayer 4 and having at least one cutout 22 in the interior glass layer202 in the area where at least one camera 16 is mounted. The cameralocation may be in the top center area of the windshield, the typicallocation on standard windshields. In this case, the cutout 22 may extendto the edge of glass. Other locations on the windshield may be used. Ifthe location is inboard from the edge of glass, such as on a panoramicwindshield (FIGS. 6A and 6B), a hole rather than a notch may be needed.

This can present bending problems due to non-uniform heating andthickness in this area. To solve this problem, a glass plate is madewhich is of the same composition and thickness as the interior layer202. This plate is then inserted into the cutout 22 and left thereduring bending. By doing so, the glass 202 bends the same as it wouldwithout the cutout 22. Alternately, the cutout 22 can be made afterbending by means of a water jet, laser or other suitable means.

An insert 9 is fabricated to fit into the cutout 22. The insert 9 isdesigned to align with the camera location when placed into the cutout22. Sufficient clearance must be allocated to allow for the alignmenttaking into account the tolerance stack. In some embodiments, there is a3 mm gap between the insert 9 and the edge of the cutout 22 in theinterior glass layer 202.

The insert 9 can be fabricated from any suitable material that canprovide the strength needed. Potential materials include but are notlimited to: annealed glass, chemically strengthened glass, heatstrengthened glass, carbon fiber composite, steel, aluminum, titanium,plastic and fiberglass reinforced plastic all may be suitable dependingupon the exact application and loading.

The plastic bonding layer 4 can be used to bond the insert 9 to thesurface of the exterior glass layer 201. This is particularlyadvantageous in that the step can be accomplished by means of thestandard automotive autoclave cycle. An autoclave is used to apply heatand pressure to an assembled laminate to complete the laminationprocess.

The insert 9 may be further reinforced by the addition of additionalcomponents such as plates or other formed structures (not shown). Thereinforcement may be formed as an integral part of the insert 9. Anexample would be an injected molded, cast or machined reinforced insert.

The glass layers 2 are formed using gravity bending, press bending, coldbending or any other conventional means known in the art. Gravity andpress bending methods for forming glass are well known in the art andwill not be discussed in the present disclosure. On parts with minimalcurvature a flat sheet of glass can be bent cold to the contour of thepart.

Cold bending is a relatively new technology. As the name suggest, theglass is bent, while cold to its final shape, without the use of heat.This is possible because as the thickness of glass decreases, the sheetsbecomes increasingly more flexible and can be bent without inducingstress levels high enough to significantly increase the long termprobability of breakage. Thin sheets of annealed soda-lime glass, inthicknesses of about 1 mm, can be bent to large radii cylindrical shapes(greater than 6 m). When the glass is chemically or heat strengthenedthe glass is able to endure much higher levels of stress and can be bentalong both major axis. The process is primarily used to bend chemicallytempered thin glass sheets (<=1 mm) to shape.

Cylindrical shapes can be formed with a radius in one direction of lessthan 4 meters. Shapes with compound bend, that is curvature in thedirection of both principle axis can be formed with a radius ofcurvature in each direction of as small as approximately 8 meters. Ofcourse, much depends upon the surface area of the parts and the typesand thicknesses of the substrates.

The cold bent glass will remain in tension and tend to distort the shapeof the bent layer that it is bonded to. Therefore, the bent layer mustbe compensated to offset the tension. For more complex shapes with ahigh level of curvature, the flat glass may need to be partiallythermally bent prior to cold bending.

The glass to be cold bent is placed with a bent to shape layer and witha bonding layer placed between the glass to be cold bent and the bentglass layer. The assembly is placed in what is known as a vacuum bag.The vacuum bag is an airtight set of plastic sheets, enclosing theassembly and bonded together it the edges, which allows for the air tobe evacuated from the assembly and which also applies pressure on theassembly forcing the layers into contact. The assembly, in the evacuatedvacuum bag, is then heated to seal the assembly. The assembly is nextplaced into an autoclave which heats the assembly and applies highpressure. This completes the cold bending process as the flat glass atthis point has conformed to the shape of the bent layer and ispermanently affixed. The cold bending process is very similar to astandard vacuum bag/autoclave process, well known in the art, with theexception of having an unbent glass layer added to the stack of glass.

When the insert 9 is fabricated from thin chemically tempered glass,cold bending can be used to form the insert 9.

Double image, another problem of the prior art, is illustrated in FIGS.5A and 5B.

A ray of light 42 enters the surface one 101 of the glass at an incidentangle 46 (with respect to the normal 50 to the surface one 101) andpasses through the glazing to the observer 41.

The light bends (refracts) as it passes through the glazing. The angleby which the light bends is known as the angular deviation 52. Thisrefraction of the light causes a shifting of the apparent position 43 ofthe object observed.

Some of the light from the ray 42 entering the glass is reflected backfrom the inside surface four 104 and exits the glazing. A portion of thereflected light is again reflected back from outside surface one 101resulting in a double image. The separation angle 40 is the anglebetween the primary 43 and secondary 44 image and the observer 41. Ifthe primary 43 and secondary 44 images are coincident, then theseparation angle is zero. Regulatory requirements limit the separationangle 40 to 15 minutes of arc for vision zone A (as defined by UnitedNations Regulation 42, revision 3) and 25 minutes of arc for vision zoneB. However, it is well known that the maximum amount of double imagingimperceptible for the human eye is 7 minutes of arc.

The double image angle, η (separation angle 40), is calculated as shownin equation 1. It increases with decreasing angle of inclination 56,increasing curvature of the glass surface and with increasing size ofthe glazing. The double image angle, η 40, can be reduced by alteringthe angle between the layers of glass as shown in FIG. 5B. Normally, theglass surfaces are substantially parallel to each other. By creating anangle 45 between the surfaces, the primary 43 and secondary 44 imagescan be shifted towards convergence.

$\begin{matrix}{\eta = \frac{2t\;{\sin(ɛ)}}{R\sqrt{n^{2} - {\sin(ɛ)}^{2}}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

-   -   Where:

η: Double image angle

t: thickness of the glazing

n: refractive index

R: radius of curvature

The angle 45 (FIG. 5B) between the layers of glass is adjusted throughthe use of an interlayer that has a non-uniform thickness, typicallytapering from a thickness greater than the standard 0.76 mm at or nearthe top of the glazing a lesser thickness at the bottom. Suchinterlayers are produced through extrusion of the plastic. Suchinterlayers are known as “wedge” interlayers. They can also be formed,to a lesser extent by shaping (stretching) of the interlayer. Shaping istypically done to create a curved sunshade.

A shaped or wedge bonding layer can also be used to reduce or eliminatedouble vision. The bonding layer 4, as shown in FIG. 5B, used to attachthe insert 9 to the glass 202 may also have a variable wedge angle.

By reducing the thickness of the laminate in the camera area, doubleimage is improved due to the shortening of the distance that the lighttravels through the glass and the resulting displacement.

In some embodiments, the area of the insert corresponding to the camerafield of view is cutout so that the camera is only covered by a singlelayer of glass.

A lens may be design to correct for optical aberration and opticallybonded to the exterior glass layer surface or to the surface of theinsert if used. An optical adhesive is needed which is matched to theindex of refraction of the glass. Such adhesives are known in the artand may be of the UV cure or solvent type.

A mounting bracket will generally be required to mount the cameras. Thebracket can be mounted directly to the exterior glass surface or to theinsert if used. Any suitable adhesive can be used. Some of the adhesivethat are in common use for this type of application include twocomponent polyurethane as well as single component moisture curingpolyurethanes.

The edge of the bracket may be extended such that it overlaps the edgeof the cutout on the interior glass edge. The overlap area may also bebonded to the glass to improve the strength of the laminate.

The insert and the bracket may be further reinforced to provide foradditional strength. Common means include but are not limited to:increasing the thickness in at least a portion of the area of thebracket, insert or both, adding additional structural member to theassembly, the use of a stiff interlayer in place of at least a portionof the cutout area.

The gap between the cutout and the camera mounting means can be filledwith an adhesive to improve the strength of the laminate. There areseveral appropriate adhesives that are known in the art which includebut are not limited to: the two component polyurethane and singlecomponent moisture cure polyurethane are good candidates as well ashot-melt and epoxy.

It should also be noted, as one or ordinary skill in the art canappreciate that the invention can be applied to other laminates andpositions in addition to the windshield. The windshield is just the mostcommon location to date and the only position which is required by lawto be comprised of laminated safety glass.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

-   -   1. The windshield of FIGS. 6A and 6B, has a standard 2.1 mm        exterior glass layer 201. In the camera mounting area, a cutout        22, starting at the edge, in made in both the plastic bonding        layers 4 and in the interior layer of glass 202. The notch in        the interior glass layer 202 is cut when the flat glass is cut.        A separate piece of glass, cut to the shape of the cutout, it        also fabricated and then placed in the opening to facilitate the        bending process. The windshield has an infrared reflecting film        12 (FIG. 6B) laminated between the two plastic bonding layers 4.        The plastic bonding layer 4 adjacent to the exterior glass layer        201, is comprised of 0.38 mm PVB. The other plastic bonding        layer 4 is around 0.76 mm PVB. The 0.76 mm PVB layer 4 has        variable thickness to compensate for double image. An insert 9,        ˜3 mm smaller than the cutout 22 is made from 0.7 mm chemically        strengthened aluminosilicate glass. The insert 9 is bonded to        the exterior glass layer 201 using the 0.38 mm layer of PVB 4 in        the autoclave using a standard automotive cycle. The insert 9 is        made from flat glass and is cold bent to the contour of the        glass. A camera mounting bracket 8 is bonded to the insert 9 by        means of a two component poly urethane adhesive 26 after        lamination. The cameras 16 are mounted at the assembly factory        after installation of the windshield into the vehicle. A black        obscuration 6 is printed on both surface two and surface four.    -   2. The panoramic windshield of FIGS. 7A and 7B, has a standard        2.1 mm exterior glass layer 201. After bending of the glass, in        the camera mounting area, a cutout is in made in both of the        plastic bonding layers 4 using a CNC blade cutter and in the        interior layer of glass 202 using a femto second LASER. The        windshield has an infrared reflecting film 12 laminated between        the two plastic bonding layers 4. The plastic bonding layer 4        adjacent to the exterior glass layer 201, is comprised of 0.38        mm PVB. The other bonding plastic 4 layer is 0.76 mm PVB. An        insert 9, ˜3 mm smaller than the cutout is made from 0.7 mm        chemically strengthened aluminosilicate glass. The insert 9 is        bonding to the exterior glass layer 201 using the 0.38 mm layer        of PVB 4 in the autoclave using a standard automotive cycle. The        insert 9 is made from flat glass and is cold bent to the contour        of the glass. A camera mounting bracket 8 is bonded to the        insert 9 by means of a two component poly urethane adhesive 26        after lamination. The cameras are mounted at the assembly        factory after installation of the windshield into the vehicle. A        black obscuration 6 is printed on both surface two and surface        four.    -   3. The windshield of embodiment 1 is further enhanced by filling        the gap between the plastic and glass layers surrounding the        mounting bracket with a moisture cure poly urethane filler 24        (FIG. 8A).    -   4. The windshield of embodiment 2 is further enhanced by filling        the gap between the plastic and glass layers surrounding the        mounting bracket with a moisture cure poly urethane filler 24        (FIG. 8B).    -   5. The windshield of embodiment 3 is further enhanced by bonding        a lens 15 to the insert 9 using an optical bonding adhesive 28        (FIG. 8C).    -   6. The windshield of embodiment 4 is further enhanced by bonding        a lens 15 to the insert 9 using an optical bonding adhesive 28        (FIG. 8D).    -   7. The windshield of FIG. 9A (an alternate version of the        windshield shown in FIG. 6B) has a standard 2.1 mm exterior        glass layer 201. In the camera mounting area, a cutout 22,        starting at the edge, in made in both the plastic bonding layers        4 and in the interior layer of glass 202. The notch in the        interior glass layer 202 is cut when the flat glass is cut. A        separate piece of glass, cut to the shape of the cutout 22, it        also fabricated and then placed in the opening to facilitate the        bending process. The windshield has an infrared reflecting film        12 laminated between the two plastic bonding layers 4. The        plastic bonding layer 4 adjacent to the exterior glass layer        201, is comprised of 0.38 mm PVB. The other plastic bonding        layer 4 is 0.76 mm PVB. A camera mounting bracket 8 is bonded to        the surface two of the exterior glass layer 201 by means of a        two component poly urethane adhesive 26 after lamination. The        gap between the plastic and glass layers surrounding the        mounting bracket is filled with a moisture cure poly urethane        filler 24. A black obscuration 6 is printed on both surface two        and surface four    -   8. The windshield of embodiment 7 is further enhanced by bonding        a lens 15 to the surface two, using an optical bonding adhesive        28 (FIG. 9B).    -   9. The windshield of embodiment 9, as shown in FIG. 9C, with a        mounting bracket which overlaps 23 the surface four of the        interior glass layer 202 and is bonded to surface four with a        two component polyurethane.    -   10. The windshield of embodiment 1 with an insert 9 made from        carbon fiber composite.    -   11. The windshield of embodiment 1 with an insert 9 which        overlaps the surface four of the interior layer of glass and is        bonded to surface four with a two component polyurethane.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laminated glazing having a camera areacomprising: an exterior glass layer; an interior glass layer having atleast one cutout in the camera field of view; at least one plasticbonding layer, wherein the surface two of the exterior glass layer isbonded to the surface three of the interior glass layer by said at leastone plastic bonding layer positioned between opposite faces of theinterior and the exterior glass layers; an insert that fits within saidat least one cutout, said insert bonded to the surface two of saidexterior glass layer; and a camera mounting bracket bonded to theinsert.
 2. The laminated glazing of claim 1, wherein the insert is of athickness that is less the thickness of the interior glass layer.
 3. Thelaminated glazing of claim 1, wherein the cutout is made after bending.4. The laminated glazing of claim 1, wherein the interior glass layer isbent with a glass plate placed in the cutout to facilitate bending. 5.The laminated glazing of claim 1, wherein said insert is reinforced. 6.The laminated glazing of claim 1, wherein said insert is substantiallycomprised of at least one of the following materials: glass, chemicallytempered glass, carbon fiber composite, steel, aluminum, titanium,plastic, and fiberglass reinforced plastic.
 7. The laminated glazing ofclaim 1, wherein said insert at least partially overlaps said interiorglass layer.
 8. The laminated glazing of claim 1, wherein the insertcomprises cutouts in the camera field of view.
 9. The laminated glazingof claim 1, further comprising at least one lens assembly.
 10. Thelaminated glazing of claim 9, wherein each lens of said at least onelens is optically bonded to the insert.
 11. The laminated glazing ofclaim 1, wherein the insert is cold bent.
 12. A laminated glazing havinga camera area comprising: an exterior glass layer; an interior glasslayer having at least one cutout in the camera field of view; at leastone plastic bonding layers, wherein the surface two of the exteriorglass layer is bonded to the surface three of the interior glass layerby said at least one plastic bonding layer positioned between oppositefaces of the interior and the exterior glass layers; and a cameramounting bracket bonded to the surface two of the exterior glass layer.13. The laminated glazing of claim 12, wherein the interior glass isbent with a glass plate placed in the cutout to facilitate bending. 14.The laminated glazing of claim 12, wherein the cutout is made afterbending.
 15. The laminated glazing of claim 12, wherein said cameramounting bracket is reinforced.
 16. The laminated glazing of claim 12,wherein said camera mounting bracket is substantially comprised of atleast one of the following materials: carbon fiber composite, steel,aluminum, titanium, plastic, and fiberglass reinforced plastic.
 17. Thelaminated glazing of claim 12, wherein said camera mounting bracket atleast partially overlaps said interior glass layer.
 18. The laminatedglazing of claim 12, wherein the camera mounting bracket comprisescutouts in the camera field of view.
 19. The laminated glazing of claim12, further comprising at least one lens assembly.
 20. The laminatedglazing of claim 19, wherein each lens of said at least one lens isoptically bonded to the exterior glass layer.